Senior Catering Operations Manager - Nelspruit

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical insurance

Retirement fund

Annual leave

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Facilities and resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Catering Operations Manager for its premier hospitality client in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. You will lead all catering operations, drive profitability, and oversee menus, suppliers, and staff across multiple venues.

The role requires 7+ years in catering ops, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of health and safety regulations. Flexibility for events, evenings, weekends, and holidays is essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in catering ops management with senior leadership.
• Proven success in budgeting and P&L responsibilities.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Knowledge of culinary trends, F&B management and event logistics.
• Client relationship management and business development.
• Knowledge of health, safety and hygiene regulations.
• Preferred degrees in Hospitality or Business fields.
• Flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Strategic thinker with attention to detail.
• Ability to develop menus and service concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct catering operations across multiple venues in Nelspruit.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to drive growth and profitability.
• Manage P&L, budgeting, forecasting, cost control and analysis.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and management of staff.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and hygiene regulations.
• Collaborate with culinary teams on menus and concepts.
• Manage supplier relationships and contracts for quality and cost.
• Build strong client relationships and ensure service excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement and best practices.
• Monitor market trends and competition in Mpumalanga.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting & P&L

Client relationships

Strategic thinking

Health & safety

Event logistics

Team management

Education

Hospitality Management degree

Business Administration degree

Related field degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a premier hospitality group with a strong presence in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga , is seeking a highly experienced Senior Catering Operations Manager. This executive role demands a strategic leader responsible for the overall management and profitability of our client's diverse catering services. You will oversee all operational aspects, from menu engineering and supplier management to team leadership and client relations, ensuring the highest standards of quality and execution. The ideal candidate will possess a comprehensive understanding of large-scale event catering, exceptional financial acumen, and a proven ability to drive operational excellence. This is a pivotal opportunity to lead and innovate catering strategies within a dynamic market in Nelspruit .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct all catering operations, ensuring seamless execution of events across multiple venues in Nelspruit .
• Develop and implement strategic business plans to drive growth, efficiency, and profitability of the catering division.
• Manage P&L statements, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial analysis.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, and management of all catering staff, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Ensure strict adherence to all health, safety, food hygiene, and licensing regulations.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to develop innovative and market-leading menus and service concepts.
• Manage key supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Cultivate strong, long-term relationships with clients, ensuring exceptional service delivery and satisfaction.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and implement best practices in operational management.
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to maintain a competitive edge in the Mpumalanga market.

Requirements

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in catering operations management, with a significant portion in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex budgets and achieving substantial P&L responsibility.
• Exceptional leadership, team management, and motivational skills.
• In-depth knowledge of culinary trends, food and beverage management, and event logistics.
• Proven ability in client relationship management and business development.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, and hygiene regulations in the food service industry.
• A degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field is highly preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required by event schedules.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Strategic thinker with meticulous attention to detail.

Benefits

• A highly competitive annual salary of ZAR .
• Significant performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical insurance and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Opportunities for extensive professional development and international exposure.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for qualified candidates.
• Lead a key division for a respected hospitality group in Nelspruit .